Judge rules New Jersey isn't liable in Bridgegate lawsuit

NEWARK, N.J. (AP) - A federal judge has ruled New Jersey can't be sued for the actions of some of its employees in the George Washington Bridge lane-closing scandal.

An ongoing lawsuit filed more than three years ago by some residents and businesses in Fort Lee, a town next to the bridge, argues the state should be held liable for the politically motivated traffic jams deliberately caused in September 2013.

A former aide to Republican Gov. Chris Christie and two other people have either pleaded guilty or been convicted. Former Christie deputy chief of staff Bridget Kelly sent an infamous email saying "Time for some traffic problems in Fort Lee" a few weeks before the four days of gridlock began.

In a ruling last week, U.S. District Judge Jose Linares cited the New Jersey Tort Claims Act, which "bars the State from being held liable for the intentional wrongdoing of its employees."

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